TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - BEING reported for alleged graft- twice within a week- does not help Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman Agus Raharjo’s mood. In early September, the anti-graft agency chief was reported to the Attorney-General’s Office (AGO), as well as the National Police’s criminal investigation unit.

The National Presidium Network for National Islam reported Agus, 61, to the AGO for his alleged role in the electronic ID card (e-KTP) scandal which supposedly took place during his stint as the head of the state goods and services procurement policy development institute. Not long afterwards, Madun Hariyadi- previously convicted for extortion- also filed graft charges against him with the National Police, in relation to the procurement of IT equipment for the new KPK building. "If you look at the past events, they share similar patterns," Agus said, recounting previous attempts to incriminate him.

Before he could clear his name, the KPK chief suffered another blow when South Jakarta Court Judge Cepi Iskandar granted Setya Novanto’s pre-trial motion, clearing him as a suspect in the e-KTP scandal. For the sixth time- three times during Agus’ tenure- the KPK has been beaten at pre-trial hearings. "The positive side of Setya Novanto’s ruling is that it does not bar the KPK from pursuing (the case) further," he said.

Buoyed by the new leads revealed by FBI special agent Jonathan Holden, Agus said his agency was putting together a new strategy to catch Setya Novanto. In a declaration released just one day before the pre-trial verdict, announced on September 29, Holden confirmed the active involvement of the House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker in manipulating the e-KTP project. The 33-page long report also mentions the flow of US$13 million, or Rp175 billion, from the Indonesian government to Johannes Marliem’s account from July 2011 to March 2014. Biomorf Lone LLC’s CEO then used the money to buy a luxury house and car.

Last Tuesday, Agus sat down with Tempo’s Raymundus Rikang, Rusman Paraqbueq and Anton Aprianto in his south Jakarta office. Agus stressed the KPK would not soften amid assaults from various parties, including the DPR’s right of inquiry commission. "We will never back down."

What steps will KPK take to rename Setya Novanto as a suspect?

We will issue a new investigation order. But we don’t want it to cause an uproar. KPK is racing against time.

How is it progressing?

Hopefully soon. We’ve held small meetings. The leaders want to give the investigators time to ensure a smooth preliminary investigation. Later, the investigators will hold preliminary hearings which I’m sure will be more than once. Afterwards, we will discuss further steps for a full investigation.

Does the FBI document released three weeks ago serve as new evidence for the e-KTP scandal?

That document is not new to the KPK. Most of the information detailed in the report was already in our hands.

How critical is the document?

First, the report could be used as evidence in Indonesia because it is the result of an investigation by FBI agents, law enforcers, on Johannes Marliem, CEO of the Biomorf Lone LLC. Secondly, the KPK now knows where the e-KTP project money went. There are new names such as Oka that popped up. The document said that back in 2011, Setya Novanto, Andi Narogong, Marliem and Oka had met at Setya’s house. When the investigators questioned Andi with it, he confirmed it. Previously, he never mentioned this name. (Based on an FBI document which copy was obtained by Tempo, Johannes Marliem was recorded to purchase a US$135,000 Richard Mille watch in Beverly Hills, California, in November 2012. According to the document, the watch was handed to Setya Novanto via Andi Narogong. Marliem also kept a recording conversation with Setya and Andi and play them in the presence of KPK investigators during the examination.)

The same report revealed that someone telephoned Marliem on July 6, causing him to back away from testifying. Who was the caller?

I haven’t received that report. As far as I knew from my investigator colleagues who returned from the US, Marliem was very cooperative on the first day of interrogation. But he didn’t show up for the second day. But when we questioned him, he showed us the gun and said he just wanted to die.

Is it true that the phone call pushed Marliem to commit suicide?

I don’t know. Perhaps he defrauded Biomorf. He took Biomorf’s money and then panicked when they billed him. One thing that not many people know is that the KPK was still there (in the US) when Marliem killed himself. He did it because of pressure. He already had weapons on him when we questioned him and it wasn’t just one, but two. That’s the fatal mistake.

Why so?

Read the full interview in this week's edition ofTempo EnglishMagazine

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